Skirt-marking guide.



PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

No. 791,011.2..V

A. T. MGCAMPBBLL.

SKIRT MARKING GUIDE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JUNE 22,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Ww/y? PATENTBD MAY 30, 1905.

A. T. MOGAMPBELL.

SKIRT MARKING GUIDE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NITED STATES Patented May 30, 1905.

PATENT rricn.

SKIRT-MARKING GUIDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 791,042, dated May 30, 1905.

Application filed June 22, 1904. Serial No 213,685.

T0 all whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ADDISON TATE MCOAMP- BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Findlay, Hancock county, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Im provements in Skirt-Marking Guides; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in what might be termed skirt-measurers, and more particularly to devices for use in marking ladies.7 skirts preparatory to shortening the same at the bottom, so that the skirt will throughout its lower edge hang an approximately even distance from the iioor.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device which can b e readily used by the saleslady without the assistance of the expensive iitter to accurately and quickly mark skirts completely around preparatory to shortening the same, so that in shortening the skirt it is merely necessary to follow the accurate mark extending completely around the skirt in order to cause the altered skirt to hang all around the desired even distance from the floor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a skirt measurer in the approximate shape of the lower portion of a dress-form, having one or a vertical series of spaced hori- Zontal circular or continuous rings, ribs, or guides, whereby the lady can stand within the frame, with the skirt to be shortened hanging around and properly shaped by the frame, so that the saleslady can mark the skirt completely around at the desired height above the iioor for altering by simply following one of said circular guides with her chalk.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements of parts, as more fully and particularly brought out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows a figure fitted with a skirt to be shortened, a skirt-measurer of my invention being indicated by dotted lines in proper a detail perspective of the joint between the meeting ends of an adjustable hoop or guide of the measurer shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal section of the construction shown in Fig. 2. Fig. Ais a perspective view of my invention embodied in a somewhat different form. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section of the construction shown by Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a skirt-measurer formed in sections hinged together, so that the'device can be swung open to permit ready entrance of the person to be fitted. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of still another form of my invention embodyinga verticallyadjustable grooved guide. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective indicating the method of marking a skirt in connection with the grooved guide, the guide, chalk, or other marking device and a portion of the skirt being shown. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective of an adjustable securing device for the plaited backs of skirts, which can, if desired, be applied to my measurer.

The device of my invention comprisesa hollow upright circular frame open at both ends and adapted to rest on the floor. This frame is usually about twelve inches high, about eighteen inches in diameter at the upper end, and about twenty-two inches in diameter at the lower end, although my invention is by no means confined to these in dimensions nor to a frame of such form. The frame is preferably light in construction, so that it can be easily lifted or moved around and, if desired, hung up out of the way when not in use. At a suitable distance above its lower end or above the floor the frame is provided with a hori- Zontal external preferably continuous or circular groove, flange, ring, or hoop forming a guide to be followed by the chalk in the hand of the saleslady in marking the skirt completely around for shortening.

In Fig. l I show the device consisting of several vertical or longitudinal uprights or bars a, arranged a suitable distance apart and connected together by a vertical series of hori- Zontal hoops 0r rings b, forming the circular guides. These hoops are arranged a suitable distance apartMfor instance, say, about operative position within the skirt. Fig. 2 is one-half an inch apart-that is, the lower hoop can be arranged to rest on the Hoor and form the base of the frame, and the next hoop will be a half-inch above the bottom hoop` and the remaining' hoops can be spaced a half-inch or more, as desired.

In the construction shown by Fig. l the hoops are arranged outside of the uprights and are rigidly secured to each upright, although my invention is not so limited.

The device can, if desired, be formed radially adjustable to receive skirts differing in width or fullness. For instance, each hoop is shown formed in two sections, with the section ends overlapping, (see c, Figs. l, 2, and 3,) the joints between the section ends of all the hoops being arranged one above the other at opposite sides of the frame, so that the frame, in effect, is composed of two sections, the front and the back, and the frame can be adjusted radially by pushing sections toward each other or pulling them in a direction away from each other. Any suitable joints or couplings can be provided between the sections or semicircles of the hoops. For instance, I show the ends of the sections longitudinally overlapping to slide on each other when contracting or distending, the overlapping ends being confined together by slide rings or loops d. One end at each joint can be formed with a series of perforations e and the other with a projection f to snap into the perforations successively as the hoop is enlarged or contracted.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I show the device in the form of a hollow open-end tapered tube g, having exterior spaced circular flanges /z at its lower portion to form the horizontal guides. This form of my invention can be molded complete from pulp or other suitable material to be light, strong, and durable.

In Fig. 6 I show a frame of the same general formation as shown in Fig. 1,'with the uprights a and the hoops L to form the guides; but the frame is formed in two sections hinged together at e' to swing on a vertical aXis, so that the frame can be opened toreceive the wearer of the skirt, and then the sections can be closed together, with their free ends engaged to form the complete circle with the unbroken or continuous guides.

In Fig. 7 I show the frame composed of the upright rods j, rigidly connected together at their upper and lower ends by the rings 7u. The outer vertical edges of the rods are formed with the spaced notches .7, and the spring or other suitable metal hoop Z, which forms and constitutes the horizontal circular guide, fits in corresponding notches of the uprights j and can be moved vertically to the desired distance above the ioor by being sprung from notch to notch of each upright. The guide retains its position at the desired height by fitting in certain notches of the uprights. If preferred, the guide Z can be made in sections, so as to be eXpansible, and can be fitted in various notches to beheld at the desired distance above the floor. Also morethan one guide can be employed, as in the construction of Fig. l, if desired.

If desired, the guides in all the arrangements shown can be in the form of grooves or depressions, which can be easily followed by the marking device, which will press the good-s of the skirt into the groove or depression, as indicated in Fig. 8. For instance, in Fig. 7 I show the guide l in the form of a grooved hoop, and the grooved or depressed guide possesses features of advantage.

Where the goods of the skirt hang in plaits at the back, it may be somewhat dificult to mark the inner surfaces of the plaits in forming the continuous mark around the skirt, ailthough such marking is not absolutely necessary. If desired, I can provide means at the back of the frame to hold the skirt in position. For instance, in Figs. 4C, 5 I show aseries of projecting points, such as needles m, fixed in one of the guides t. The cloth can be pressed against these points, so that they will puncture the same, and thus hold the cloth and also form marks which the seamstress can see and follow. Also these projecting points will hold the cloth so that it can be marked under the plaits, or a row of pins can stick into the plaits along the guide to indicate the line to be followed in altering the skirt, so that the marking-chalk need not be used.

In Figs. 6 and 9 I show a removable plate or strip fn, provided with the holding points or needles and adapted to be adjustably fitted on any one of the guides. Any suitable means can be provided to permit adjustment of the holding-needles from one guide to another. For instance, I show the strip n provided with spring-clips 0 to spring onto any one of the guides, so that the measurer can be used with or Without the holding-needles and so that said needles can be applied to any one of the guides.

In operation the lady to be fitted steps into and stands on the floor within the frame, and the skirt to be altered, being properly fitted on the lady, hangs outside of and around the fiame,wvliich properly holds out the lower portion of the skirt and causes the same to hang properly. If the wearer desires her skirt shortened to hang, say, one inch from the iioor, it is merely necessary for the lady clerk to locate the particular guide within the skirt which is one inch from the iioor and to then follow that guide with the chalk completely around the skirt or insert pins in the skirt along a line following said guide. The skirt will then be accurately marked completely around, so that the operators in altering the skirt need only accurately follow the mark to produce the desired result in the skirt when altered.

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The operation of marking the skirt is very simple and yet is exceedingly accurate and can be performed by the saleslady very rapidly without calling in an expensive expert fitter, as is necessary where my device is not employed.

By the use of my device a walking-skirt can be easily and quickly marked so that when altered the skirt will hangat the back, as well as at the front, the desired distance from the Hoor.

According to the methods heretofore generally followed in practice the operation of marking a walking-skirt for shortening has been a very tedious and expensive, as well as a very unsatisfactory, process, as it has been almost impossible to get the skirt to hang evenly at both front and back. My device or form holds the skirt in its natural position, so that the saleslady can quickly and easily and most accurately mark the same completely around at the desired length at one operation.

1t is evident that various changes and modilications might be resorted to in the forms, constructions, and arrangements of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact constructions shown.

What I claim isl. A device for usein marking ladiesskirts while iitted to the wearer preparatory to altering, comprising, in combination, a hollow vertical approximately stiff drum or form to fit within the skirt and having its lower end arranged to support the form in an upright position extending upwardly within the skirt to form a backing therefor during marking, and a vertical series of spaced horizontal marking-guides arranged to guide the operator in accurately marking the skirt completely around along any one of said guides While the skirt is held against the form.

2. Adevice for use in marking ladies skirts for altering comprising a hollow vertical form having a supporting base or end and adapted to iit in the lower portion of the skirt while on the wearer and provided with a horizontal marking-guide, substantially as described.

3. A device for use in marking ladies skirts for altering consisting of a hollow open-end form to extend from the floor up into the skirt and form a backing therefor during marking and having a horizontal guide surrounding the form and arranged a predetermined distance above the base of the form, for the purposes substantially as described.

4. A device for use in marking ladies skirts for altering comprising a hollow upright openend form adapted to rest on the floor and extend up into the skirt and having an exterior marking-guide, for the purposes substantially as described.

5. A device for use in marking ladies skirts for altering comprising a hollow open-end form and means rendering the same radially expansible said form having' a lower supporting end to rest on the floor with the form extending up into a skirt and forming a backing therefor during marking.

6. Adevice for use in marking ladies skirts for altering comprising an upwardly-tapering.

hollow open-end form having a lower supporting end to rest on the floor and a horizontal marking-guide, for the purposes substantially as described.

7. A device for use in marking ladies skirts while fitted to the wearer preparatory to altering, comprising, in combination, a hollow vertical form having its lower end arranged to support the form in an upright position extending upwardly within and forming a backing for the skirt, the upper end of the form being open so that the skirt-wearer can stand within the form, and guiding means arranged to guide the operator in accurately marking the skirt completely around in a predetermined horizontal plane, substantially as described.

8. A device for use in marking skirts preparatory to altering, comprising a vertical hollow form or drum supported from its lower end and adapted to extend upwardly within the skirt and form a backing for and completely around within the skirt during marking, and a horizontal marking-guide, whereby the skirt can be accurately marked completely around at the desired distance from the floor.

9. A device for use in marking skirts preparatory to shortening the same, comprising a hollow vertical drum or form having a supporting base or lower end, the form projecting upwardly into the lower portion of the skirt on a wearer standing within the form, the latter fitting around within the skirt and having an exterior horizontal marking-guide formed by a depression around the exterior of the form.

10. A device for use in marking skirts comprising a vertical hollow form to rest on the floor and extend up into the skirt and having a guide and means to hold or fasten the skirt down at the exterior of the form.

l1. A device for use in marking ladies skirts, comprising a portable form in which the wearer of the skirt stands with the skirt hanging around the form, said form provided with an exterior marking -guide and with means to secure the back part of the skirt in position to the form during the marking operation, substantially as described.

l2. A device for use in marking skirts preparatory to shortening the same comprising a form adapted to extend up into the skirt and form a backing for marking, means at the exterior of the form to hold the skirt thereto,

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and exterior horizontal marking -guides to through the skirt, and means to guide the 01o-r guide the operator in accurately marking1 the erator in accurately marking the skirt. IO skirt, substantially as described. In testimony whereofl lallX my signature in 13. A device for use in marking skirts pre presence of two witnesses. 5 paratory to shortening the sanne comprising a ADDISON TATE MCCAMPBEL'L.

hollow Vertical form adapted to extend up Witnessesz' within the lower end of the skirt and at its R. B. KEERAN, exterior having a row of points to project HARRY JOHNSON. 

